It is early days for New Zealand in South Africa, but in the opening
Twenty20 at Kingsmead there was a gulf between the teams that does not
bode well for the tour. New Zealand crumbled for 86, only just avoiding a
new record low in the format, before the home side cantered to their
target with more than seven overs to spare.
A callow batting order, with much resting on new captain Brendon
McCullum, was always likely to struggle, especially after just one
warm-up match to prepare but it was still a hugely disappointing effort.
South Africa, though, under a new captain and coach, looked primed for
the home season with their only sour note when debutant Chris Morris
picked up a leg injury.
It was obvious that Ross Taylor's absence would leave a vast hole and
Martin Guptill was also ruled out of this match with a stomach bug, but
the top order did not give itself much of a chance on a slightly
two-paced surface. The batsmen paid the price for too much aggression
too early, perhaps in an eagerness to exploit the Powerplay. Doug
Bracewell, at No. 9, made an unbeaten 21 to at least lift them over the
80 they made against Pakistan in 2010.
Rory Kleinveldt struck with his first ball with one that bounced a touch
more against Rob Nicol to give Quinton de Kock, the debutant
wicketkeeper, his first catch. De Kock, who turned 20 earlier this week,
was one of seven new caps (three for South Africa, four for New
Zealand) handed out between the teams for this match as the sides looked
to start afresh after a poor World Twenty20.
Dale Steyn had Peter Fulton caught at mid-on before Kleinveldt claimed
the key wicket of McCullum who top-edged a hook and was well caught by
Steyn running backwards from short fine-leg. After the six-over
Powerplay, New Zealand were already tottering at 27 for 3 and it didn't
get better although James Franklin may have received a harsh decision
with suggestions the ball brushed his arm when attempting to hook.
Morris, another of the debutants, claimed his first international scalp
when Corey Anderson, also in his first match, clubbed to mid-off and
later added Colin Munro who at least had shown some decent
shot-selection before slogging across the line. However, Morris could
not complete his allocation after suffering what appeared to be a muscle
strain with two balls remaining. Last week he was ruled out of the
domestic one-day final with a quad injury so questions will be asked
about whether he was ready for this match.
Between Morris's two wickets spin also made a mark as Robin Peterson
gained from the slightly tricky nature of the surface. However, it was
nowhere near as tough as the scoreline suggested. With New Zealand left
to try and bat out the overs - which they failed to do - Peterson was
able to collect South Africa's most economical figures in Twenty20 (2
for 8).
South Africa's chase did not start smoothly when the under-pressure
Richard Levi edged Mitchell McClenaghan, a left-arm seamer to add to the
plethora of that style New Zealand can call on, to first slip but
captain Faf du Plessis and Henry Davids, making his debut at the age of
32, were soon into their stride.
Davids was off the mark with a ungainly hack which he edged past leg
stump but also sliced a six over deep point while du Plessis drove
beautifully through the off side. De Kock, who has come into the
international amid much hype, began in eye-catching style by lofting his
third ball straight down the ground and showed a touch of class through
the off side.
To compound New Zealand's problems some of their ground fielding would
have shamed a club side. It really was a horrid evening for them.
Twenty20 was meant to be a format where they might, just, have pushed
South Africa but on this evidence that theory appears far-fetched.
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